Eight Lives, One Heart

Eight Lives, One Heart 2 ❤️

The moment the overhead speaker blared the announcement "Code Red, ER—All hands on deck," Alexis's heart dropped. But this time, it wasn't just another patient; it was her cousin, John Nolan. She froze, panic flooding her veins. She had no idea what had happened, but when the sound of rushed footsteps echoed from the hallway, her worst fear was confirmed.

"John!" Alexis shouted, her voice trembling as she rushed forward.

As she neared the ER entrance, she saw John being wheeled in, his face pale, blood oozing from a wound on his side. The sight made her stomach churn, but she pushed forward, adrenaline kicking in.

"No! No, I need to help!" Alexis cried, trying to move past the nurses and doctors.

But Alex Karev stepped in her path, his face tense. "Alexis, stop. You can't go in there," he snapped. "He's family, I get it, but this is too much. You're not doing this."

"I have to help!" Alexis yelled, panic rising. She could feel her hands shaking, but she refused to stand by when her family needed her.

"Get her out of here!" Alex barked, the urgency in his voice unmistakable.

Before Alexis could argue further, George O'Malley appeared, his face soft but firm as he gently took hold of her shoulders. "Alexis, you can't do this. You're not in the right headspace to help him right now," he said, his grip steady. "You need to let us do our job."

"NO!" Alexis protested, trying to pull away. "I'm not leaving him. I can help—"

But George held her firm. "Alexis, listen to me. You're not helping anyone by going in there and getting yourself hurt."

It was hard for Alexis to breathe as she stood there, feeling helpless, her pulse pounding in her ears. She watched through the window as Alex and the others worked quickly, stabilizing John as best they could.

Minutes felt like hours, and Alexis fought the urge to break down. She knew they were professionals, but he was her cousin. She couldn't lose him.

Then, finally, Alex came out, his face grim but relieved. "He's stable for now. He's going to need surgery, but he's made it through the worst."

Alexis took a shaky breath, relief washing over her as she sank back against the wall. "Thank you," she whispered.

John Nolan had been saved, but it wasn't because of her actions this time. She knew when to step back, and in that moment, that was the right choice. Alex, George, and the others had done their jobs—and John was going to pull through. That was all that mattered. Alexis stood in the hallway, her chest tight with a mix of fear and frustration. Her eyes were locked on the trauma room where John Nolan was being stabilized. She could hear the urgency in the voices of the medical team, the beeping of machines, and her heart pounded in her ears. But instead of feeling relief that he was getting the help he needed, all she felt was helplessness.

She turned to face Alex Karev, who had been the one to hold her back. Her face flushed with anger and panic.

"I could've helped, Alex!" she yelled, her voice breaking. "You didn't have to stop me! You don't get it, he's family! I could've saved him!"

Alex winced at her words, his brow furrowing. "Alexis, you were too close to the situation," he said, his voice soft but firm. "You were panicking, and you weren't in the right frame of mind to help him. If you'd gone in there, you might've made it worse."